Examining Global Education Issues

4 THE JAPAN TIMES SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2016

G7 Kurashiki Education Ministers’ Meeting in Okayama (Publicity)

Education particularly important Examining global education issues in facing world’s challenges The G7 Education Ministers’ Meeting Kaori Ito pared to welcome guests from all will be held in Kurashiki, Okayama KURASHIKI MAYOR over the world. Prefecture, on May 14 and 15, with Kurashiki is a city with a history of related ministers of the Group of I am very honored urban development that has had a Seven and others from international the city of Kurashiki focus on education and culture since organizations gathering to discuss will host the G7 Edu- the Edo Period. Attracting 5 million global education challenges. cation Ministers’ tourists a year, Kurashiki is a globally Under the theme of “Innovation in Meeting in 2016. popular tourist destination that is Education,” representatives from As the world is full seeing an increasing number of for- Japan, Britain, Canada, France, Ger- of challenges such as eign visitors. It also has many cultur- many, Italy, the U.S., the European environmental pro- al and tourism events throughout the Union, the Organization for Economic tection, the eradica- year. Cooperation and Development and tion of poverty and I sincerely hope the Kurashiki G7 UNESCO, among others, will discuss peacekeeping, the role of education Education Ministers’ Meeting in education’s role in fostering peace is particularly signifi cant. I expect Okayama will be an opportunity for and prosperity in the world. meaningful discussions will be held many people to get to know the The meetings, symposiums and in Kurashiki and the city is fully pre- beauty of Kurashiki and visit us. other events are to be held at Kura- shiki Ivy Square in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area, a space that main- tains traditional structures and a his- torical atmosphere. Meeting participants will also travel on excur- sions to visit schools and places of interest in the area. In connection with the education ministers’ meeting, the city of Kura- shiki hosted the G7 Kurashiki Chil- dren’s Summit at Kurashiki Ivy Square in March. The summit was attended by some 240 junior high school and high school students from Japan and other G7 countries, teachers, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Hiroshi Hase, the organizing committee of the G7 Edu- Children from G7 countries discuss education at the G7 Kurashiki Children’s Summit in March. CITY OF KURASHIKI cation Ministers’ Meeting and others involved in education. respect others as ourselves; we will do ism sites. The square was created after named “the town of white walls.” Yaame Iseki, a senior at Seishin our best as students; we will act refurbishing a spinning mill dating Traditionally built houses line the High School, delivered a speech on locally; and we will think globally. back to the Meiji Era. It has a hotel, bank of Kurashiki River and the image her experience attending the ninth The declaration will be sent to Hase restaurants, multipurpose halls and of the buildings and the willow trees Kurashiki Ivy Square CITY OF KURASHIKI UNESCO Youth Forum in Paris in so that he can present it at the G7 various museums. reflected on the water is fantastic. The October. Education Ministers’ Meeting. In May, green ivy will cover the red city also maintains its traditional lights beautifully illuminating the including the Asian Townscape Iseki then facilitated a panel discus- As a center of education and cul- brick of Kurashiki Ivy Square, provid- theme with the white-walled Kura- space in the evening. Award. sion, titled “Think Globally, Act ture, Kurashiki is the ideal venue for ing a vivid and multicolored backdrop shiki-kan (Tourist Information Office). Thanks to collaboration between The breathtaking scenery is just one Locally,” in which children from the the education ministers’ meeting. The to the retro atmosphere. Kurashiki is also home to the Ohara the municipality and area residents, of many things visitors can enjoy. G7 countries spoke in English about city is home to many researchers, Kurashiki Ivy Square is part of the Museum of Art, which housed the first the area preserves many buildings the Other sites such as the Kurashiki education in the future. educators and people who have con- Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area, one collection of Western art in Japan. The way they were in the Edo Period and Museum of Folk-Craft are also inter- They released the “G7 Kurashiki tributed to cultural development. of the most popular tourist sites in Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area fea- Meiji Era. The community-wide proj- esting and the many shops selling tra- Children’s Summit Declaration,” Kurashiki Ivy Square is one of Kura- Japan. Thanks to the many white- tures an exotic mixture of Japanese ect is well known throughout Japan ditional crafts and local delicacies which contained four pledges: We will shiki’s main cultural centers and tour- walled buildings, the area is nick- and Western influences with soft and the area has won various prizes, offer something for everyone. City boasts long history in addition to natural beauty

The city of Kurashiki faces the Seto rochemical goods and cars. Inland Sea and enjoys a mild climate Additionally, the city of Kurashiki The city of Kurashiki, with a population with little precipitation. The city of leads other municipalities near the of 483,570 (as of April) and an area of about 480,000 population lies in the Takahashi River in a consortium to Okayama Pref. 355.63 sq. km, boasts easy access to a southern part of Okayama Prefecture, tackle the issues of the aging society Tokyo nearby airport and a major train station. which is known as “sunny country.” and work together in making the area JR Kurashiki Station is a 35-minute bus In the western part of the city, prosper. Hiroshima Osaka ride from Okayama Airport, which is an which was a prosperous trading hub In March 2015, the city and other hour and a half from Tokyo by air. in the Edo Period, the Takahashi municipalities near the river set up a River runs into the Seto Inland Sea. committee to promote collaboration It is also just 17 minutes from JR The city is divided into eight areas: in development and came up with Okayama Airport Okayama Station, which is serviced by the Kurashiki, Mizushima, Kojima, the vision for a growth strategy in the Sanyo Main and Hakubi lines. JR Okayama Tamashima, Chayamachi, Sho, Funao Takahashi River area. The city is Kurashiki Station is 3 hours and 17 minutes from City Tokyo Station and 45 minutes from Shin- and Mabi. The venue for the G7 Edu- planning to promote the Takahashi JR Okayama Stn. cation Ministers’ Meeting is in the River area via the G7 Education Min- Osaka Station by shinkansen. Kurashiki area. isters’ Meeting. By car, it is about 10 minutes from the JR Kurashiki Stn. Mizushima is a heavy industrial For visitors, the Kurashiki Bikan Mizushima-Hayashima Interchange. area and Kojima is known for the Historical Area offers many attrac- production of school uniforms and tions such as the Ohara Museum of jeans. Tamashima is known for Art, Kurashiki Museum of Folk-Craft home to Washuzan Hill and Oji- Period salt merchant, and the Kojima peaches while Funao has abundant and Kurashiki Ivy Square, but other gatake Hill, famous for their beautiful School Uniform Museum are also in sweet peas and muscat grapes. Mabi areas of the city also have attractions landscapes in Setonaikai National the area. is known for bamboo shoots. to lure visitors. Park. As the home of jeans in Japan, In Tamashima area, visitors can Manufacturing is a major industry For example, there are large com- Kojima Jeans Street and the Jeans enjoy nostalgic streets dating to the in the city, as it is the fourth-largest mercial developments near JR Kura- Museum are fondly visited by denim Showa Era and tea culture in a loca- municipality in terms of shipping shiki Station, while the Kojima area, lovers. The Nozaki’s Historical Resi- tion dedicated to maintaining an old Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area CITY OF KURASHIKI manufactured goods, including pet- in the southern part of the city, is dence, which belonged to an Edo town feel. KURASHIKI WELCOMES THE WORLD Japanese and Western, retro and modern; Kurashiki boasts beautiful streets and an exotic atmosphere. Enjoy tradition, culture, delicious food from the Seto Inland Sea and other things only available in Kurashiki.

Honmachi Washuzan Specialty Kurashiki Street Hill Goods Foods

For more information, see http://www.kurashiki-tabi.jp/for/en/

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